Through the Kop van Noord Holland

This route takes you through the different landscapes in the Kop van Noord Holland. You walk a large part of the route along the North Sea through the Helderse Duinen. This area consists of low dune tops, dune valleys and coniferous forests. The dunes are a paradise for special and vulnerable plants, such as beach centaury, heather cartel leaf and knotweed pondweed. From the beach and the dune tops you have a beautiful view over the water. It's a wonderful way to get some fresh air and to clear your head completely. You also walk through the Mariëndal nature reserve. In this area, bulb soil has been converted into low dunes, dune grasslands and water features. If you are a bit right, you can spot a fox here in the early or late hours during his search for a rabbit or hare. Slightly easier to see are the geese, snipes and oystercatchers. The dune areas contrast beautifully with the lower-lying polders in the hinterland. From here you have a view of the city of Den Helder, where you walk past a number of forts that are part of the Defense Line of Den Helder, such as Fort Dirks Admiraal and Fort Kijkduin. The route also takes you to the harbor where you can spot interesting (naval) ships. You start and end the 23-kilometre route in De Helderse Vallei Visitor Centre.